Alarm-valve.



RCARPENTER.

ALARM VALVE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 22. 1909.

" 'Patented Apr. 9, 191.2.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

P. CARPENTER.

ALARM VALVE.

APPLIOATION FILED JULY 22, 1909.

Patented Apr. 9, 1912.

'z SHEETS-SHEET z.

% IN VEN TOR PAUL CARPENTER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

ALARM-VALVE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 9, 1912.

Application filed July 22, 1909. Serial No. 508,966.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, PAUL CARPENTER, a citizen of the United States,residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Alarm-Valves, of whichthe following is a specication.

The present invention relates to valves in general yand moreparticularly to valves of the tapering plug type and has specialreference to the provision of a plug valve adapted for controlling theadmission of air or other operative fluid under high pressure to one ormore low pressure conduits and contemplates the provision of a valve ofthe character referred to having applied thereto an alarm or warningdevice, such as it is at times expedient to utilize to the end that theuser may at all times be informed when the valve is open, `and therebyavoid waste of air pressure and needless wear of the actuated device,valves of this general class being useful in the operation of sundryapparatus commonly located at a distance from the operator, among whichmay be specified railway track sanding apparatus and other mechanismcustomarily controlled from a locomotive cab, valves designed for thepresent purposes being shown in the copending applications of HarryVissering Numbers 502,729 and 502,730, filed June 17, 1909 upon whichthe present invention is an improvement.

The principal objects of this invention are the provision of an improvedvalve of the character specified, and one wherein the warning port willbe positively closed at all times when the main operating valve isclosed, and wherein the operating port and the alarm port aresimultaneously opened and closed, the provision of an improved plugvalve device adapted to control the admission of pressure to a pluralityof ports from successive members of a series of ports graduated in sizewhereby an initial inrush of pressure and a consequent waste thereof orunnecessary strain may be avoided, the provision of a valve of thecharacter described which is so constructed as to permit ready removalof the valve proper, to the end that it may be reground or a new valveinserted, or the seat refinished, without disturbance to the piping withwhich the valve is connected; the provision of a plug valve device ofthe character specified which may be uniformly held tight against highpressure without danger of becoming too firmly wedged in its seat topermit of facile operation, or of becoming loosened in service so thatthe fluid cannot be maintained under pressure, together with such otherobjects as will hereinafter appear.

In the attainment of the objects above referred to, as well as to securethe product-ion of a valve which may be economically and inexpensivelymanufactured and operated, together with certain additional features ofadvantage which will be apparent to those who are skilled in the art, Ihave provided the constructions illustrated in preferred form in theaccompanying drawings wherein- Figure 1 is an elevation of a valveembodying my improvements; Fig. 2 is a sec* tional view taken on theline 11-11 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the lineIII-III of Fig. 1, a certain port being here shown as formed in thecasing; Fig. 4 is an illustration of a modification of the valveillustrated in Figs. 1 to 3, the said port being here shown as formed inthe valve stem. Fig. 5 is a sectional view of a detail taken on the lineV-V of Fig. 2; Fig. 6 is an elevation of another eXemplificat-ion of mypresent invention; Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken on the line VII-V11of Fig. 8 and Fig. 8 is a sectional View taken on the line VIII-VIII ofFigs. 6 and 7.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 1 to 3 of the drawings it willbe observed that in carrying out my invention I make use of a valvecasing 10 provided with a suitable connection 11 to an inlet or highpressure conduit and suitable connections 12 and 13 to outlet or lowpressure conduits, the casing 10 being provided to form a seat 16 for aplug valve 14 adapted for rotation therein, such seat and plug beingpreferably made to taper toward one end so that their frictionalengagement relatively to each other may be varied as desired for thereasons below set forth. The casing 10 is also provided with an internalgroove 15 formed in the valve seat 16, communicating with a passage 17leading to the alarm device, which I have here shown as comprising acasing 18 formed integrally with the .valve casing 10, the said alarmdevice having a passage 19 and a port 20 for establishing connectionwith the atmosphere, the casing 19 being provided with a valve 2Oslidably mounted therein and prevented by thescrew 21 from being blownout of the casing by the pressure acting thereupon.

As will be seen on viewing Figs. 1 and 2 the connection between the highpressure passage 11 on one side, and the low pressure passages 12 and13, and the alarm passage 15, on the other, is interrupted by the plugvalve 14, such plug being provided with passages 22, 23 and 24, thepassage 22 communicating with the passage 15, the passage 23 with theconnection 13, and the passage 24 with the passage 11, when the valve isin the position shown in Fig. 3, pressure then being permitted to passto the outlet 13 and communication with the alarm device est-ablished.Vhen it is desired that pressure be admitted to the outlet 12, the valveis given a one-eighth turn from its lap position when communication willremain established between the passages 22 and 15, and will beestablished between the passages 23 and 11, and 24 and 12.

It will be noted from an inspection of Fig. 2, that the valve 14 isprovided at one end with a stem 25 uponwhich the operating handle 26 iscarried. In the exemplication of my invention here shown, the oppositeend of the valve is formed with a projecting stem 27 having screwthreaded thereon a nut 28 with a washer 29. To hold the valve 14 inContact with its seat 16 a spring 30 is provided between the washer 29and the cap 31 having threaded engagement with the casing 10. The cap ishere shown as apertured to allow the passage of the stem 27therethrough, but should have a close it with the stem 27 to avoidleakage therebetween. To further guard against the escape of pressurebetween the valve 14 and seat 16, I provide a packing ring 32 havingdovetailed engagement with a seat. 33 formed in the valve casing, (seeFig. 5) a cap 34 having screw threaded engagement 35 with the valvecasing being adapted to force the backing therein down upon the valve,whereby not only is any escape of pressure at the ends of the valveprevented, but also the wear of the valve and seat may be compensatedfor and the valve may be adjusted to turn more or less easily as may bedesired.

Referring to the exempliication of my invention illustrated in Fig. 4 itwill be apparent that the passage for establishing communication betweenthe passages 22 and 17 is here formed in the plug 14 as indicated at 15binstead of in the valve seat 16, the

than that of the 'connections 12 and 13, as i indicated by the brokenline in said figure, and the passage 22 being drilled on an angle to theaxis of the valve 14 to prevent establishnie-nt of communication withthe out-let 12 when the outlet 13 is in operative connection with thepassage 11 or vice versa.

p Referring now tothe embodiments of my invention illustrated in Figs.6, 7 and 8 it will be observed that in this exempliication the valve 14aand seat 16 taper toward the stem 25, the handle 26EL being interposedbetween a cover plate 40 and a jam nut 41, a key 42 being provided toprevent relative rotation between the handle, plate and valve.

To force the valve into contact with the seat and regulate such contactI provide at the opposite end a packing ring 32it having dovetailedengagement withl the seat 33a formed in the casing 10 (similarly to theconstruction illustrated in Fig. 5). The ring 32a being forced againstthe valve by `the cap 34a and a spring 30a pressing at one end againstthe interior of the valve and at the other end against said cap, thedesired range of adjustability of the valve relative to its seat isattainable by the construction here shown, for the purposes abovereferred to.

From an inspection of Figs. 7 and 8 particularly it will be noted thatcommunication between the high pressure inlet 11a and the low pressureoutlets 1,2a and 13a is interrupted by the valve 14a which is of aninverted cup shape. The inlet 11a communicates with the interior of thesaid valve 14a .by means of a passage 43 formed in the ring 32a, thevalve 14aL being formed with two series of ports 44, 45, 46 and 47, 48,49 adapted to register respectively with the outlets 12a and 13a, andports 50 and 51 on a plane other than that of the two series of portsabove referred to respectively being adapted to register with thepassage 1521 leading to the alarm device.

The operation of my improved valves are as follows: Then the user movesthe handle 26, establishing communication between the connections, 11and 13, by the passages 24 and 23, (or between the connections 11 and 12by the passages 23 and 24) simultaneously communication will beestablished between the inlet and the atmosphere by means of thepassages 22,15 and 20, the air rushing' therethrough under high pressuremaking a hissing or whistling sound which will continue to attract theusers attention to the fact that the valve is open and operativeconnection established until the handle be movedA into lap position.Vhere the valve is in continuous use for substantial periods of time,the operator may shut off the alarm sound by manual pressure yupon thevalve 20 which will close the port 20, but if for any reason he removessuch manual pressure, the air pressure will force the valve 20 outwardand the warning sound will recommence.

In the operation of the modified form of device it will be observed thatowing to the fact that the two series of ports 44, 45, 46, and 47 48, 49are graduated in size, pressure may be admitted gradually to the outlets12a and 13a respectively connecting therewith, to the end that waste ofpressure may be avoided or co-ntrolled and the apparatus operated atdifferent speeds or its speed of operation gradually increased. It willbe further observed that by means of the constructions here illustrated,I have been able to combine in one structure the requisite valve devicesfor ejecting sand at the point of contact of the locomotive with therail only, whether such locomotive be running forward or backward, whichconstruction is advantageous in this that in the use of two sets ofvalve devices, the waste of sand incidental to supplying it both infront of and behind the point of contact, is avoided.

Having thus described my invention and illustrated its use what I claimas new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is the following l. Avalve device comprising a casing, a conical valve member rotatabletherein, connections in the casing to an inlet conduit, to a pluralityof outlet conduits, and to an atmospheric alarm port, passages in saidvalve member adapted to register with said connections, means foroperating said Valve whereby said connections and passages may bebrought into register and communication with said atmospheric alarm maybe established when the valve is open and means for preventinglongitudinal movement between said valve and casing.

2. A valve device comprising a casing, a conical valve member rotatabletherein, c onnections in the casing to an inlet conduit, to an outletconduit, and to an atmospheric alarm port, passages in said valve memberadapted to register with said connections, means for operating saidvalve whereby said connections and passages may be brought into registerand communication with said atmospheric alarm may be established whenthe valve is open and means for preventing longitudinal movement betweensaid valve and casing.

3. A valve device comprising a casing, a conical valve member rotatabletherein, connections in the casing to an inlet conduit, to an outletconduit, and to an atmospheric alarm port, passages in said valve memberadapted to register with said connections,

means for operating said valve whereby said connections and passages maybe brought into register, and communication with said atmospheric alarmmay be established when the valve is open, a ring bearing on the plugand a cap screw threaded to the casing and bearing on the ring toprevent longitudinal movement between said valve and casing.

4. A valve device comprising a casing, a conical valve member rotatabletherein, connections in the casing to an inlet conduit, to an outletconduit, and to an atmospheric alarm port, passages in said valve memberadapted to register with said connections, means for operating saidvalve whereby said connections and passages may be brought into registerand communication with said atmospheric alarm may be established whenthe valve is open, and a spring operating at one end against the valveand at the other end against the casing.

5. A valve device comprising a casing, a conical valve member rotatabletherein, connections in the casing to an inlet conduit, to an out-letconduit, and to an atmospheric alarm port, passages in` said valvemember adapted to register with said connections, means for operatingsaid valve whereby said connections and passages may be brought intoregister and communication with said atmospheric alarm may beestablished when the valve is open, a ring bearing on the plug and a capscrew threaded to the casing and bearing on the ring to preventlongitudinal movement between said valve and casing, the said ringhaving engagement with the casing to prevent rotation of the ringrelative to the casing.

6. A valve device comprising a casing, a valve member rotatable therein,connections in the casing to an inlet conduit, to an outlet conduit, andto an atmospheric alarm port, passages in said valve member adapted toregister with said connections, means for operating said valve wherebysaid connections and passages may be brought into register andcommunication with said atmospheric alarm may be established when thevalve is open `and means for normally preventing longitudinal movementbetween said valve and casing.

7. A valve device comprising a casing, a valve member rotatable therein,connections in the casing to an inlet conduit, to an outlet conduit, andto an atmospheric alarm port, passages in said valve member adapted toregister with said connections, means for operating said valve wherebysaid connections and passages may be brought into register andcommunication with said atmospheric alarm may be established when thevalve is open, a ring bearing on the plug and a cap screw threaded tothe casing and bearing on the ring to prevent longitudinal movementbetween said valve and casing.

8. A valve device comprising a casing, al

plug valve rotatable therein, an alarm port, connections in the casingto an inlet conduit, to an outlet conduit, and to the alarm port,passages in said valve member adapted to register with said connections,means carried by the valve for operating said valve whereby saidconnections and passages may be brought into register and communicationwith said atmospheric alarm may be established when the valve is openand means for normally preventing longitudinal movement between saidvalve and casing.

9. A valve device comprising a casing, a conical valve member rotatabletherein, connections in the casing to an inlet conduit, to an outletconduit, and to an atmospheric alarm port, passages in said valve memberadapted to register with said connections, an operating handle for saidvalve whereby said connections and passages may be brought intoregister, and communication with said atmospheric alarm port may beestablished when the valve is open and a spring operating at one endagainst an eX- tension on the valve and at the other end against theexterior of the casing.

10. A valve device comprising a casing, a conical valve member rotatabletherein, connections in the casing to an inlet conduit, to an outletconduit, and to an atmospheric alarm port, passages in said valve memberadapted to register with said connections, an operating handle for saidvalve whereby said connections and passages may be brought intoregister, and communication with said atmospheric alarm port may beestablished when the valve is open and a spring operating at one endagainst the valve and at the other end against the casing and means forvarying the tension 0n th-e spring.

11. A valve device comprising a casing, a conical valve member rotatabletherein, connections in the casing to an inlet conduit, to an outletconduit, and to an atmospheric alarm port, passages in said valve memberada-pted to register with said connections, an operating handle for saidvalve whereby said connections and passages may be brought intoregister, and communication with said atmospheric alarm port may beestablished when the valve is open and a spring operating at one endagainst an eX- tension on the valve and at the other end against theexterior of the casing, and means for varying the tension on the spring.

12. A valve device comprising a casing, a valve member rotatabletherein, connections in the casing to an inlet conduit, to an outletconduit, and to the atmosphere, passages in said valve member adapted toregister with said connections whereby when communication is establishedbetween the inlet and outlet conduits communication is also establishedwith the atmosphere, means for operating said valve whereby saidconnections and passages may be brought into register, and means forpreventing longitudinal movement between said valve and casing.

18. A valve device comprising a casing, a valve member rotatabletherein, connections in the casing to an inlet conduit, to a pluralityof outlet conduits and to the atmosphere, passages in said valve memberadapted to register with said connections whereby when communication isestablished between the inlet and with either of said outlet conduitscommunication is also established with the atmosphere, means foroperating said valve whereby said connections and passages may bebrought into register, and means for preventing longitudinal movementbetween said valve and casing.

14. A valve device comprising a casing, a plug rotatable therein, analarm port, connections in the casing to an inlet conduit, to aplurality of outlet conduits, and to the alarm port, passages in saidvalve member adapted to register with said connections whereby whencommunication is established between the inlet and either of the outletconduits, communication is also established with said alarm port, meansfor operating said valve whereby said connection and passages may bebrought into register, a ring bearing on the plug and a screw capthreaded to the casing and bearing on the ring to prevent longitudinalmovement between said valve and casing.

15. A valve device comprising a casing, a plug rotatable therein, analarm port, connections in the casing to an inlet conduit, to aplurality of outlet conduits, and to the alarm port, passages in saidvalve member adapted to register with said connections whereby whencommunication is established between the inlet and either of the outletconduits, communication is also established with said alarm port, meansfor operating said valve whereby said connection and passages may bebrought into register, a ring bearing on the plug and a screw capthreaded to the casing and bearing on the ring to prevent longitudinalmovement between said valve and casing, the said ring having engagementwith the casing to prevent rotation of the ring relative to the casing.

16. A valve device comprising a casing, a plug valve rotatable therein,an alarm port, connections in the casing to an inlet conduit, to aplurality of out-let conduits and to the alarm port, passages in saidvalve member adapted to register with said connections, means carried bythe valve for opersigned my name n the presence of the two atmg saldvalve whereby sald eonneotlons subscrlbed Wltnesses.

and passages may be brouo'ht into revster and means for normallypevent-ng lbong- PAUL CARPENTER' tudinal movement between said Valve andVitneSgQs; casing. DONALD C. WILLIAMS,

In testimony whereof I have hereunto JOHN FoRREsT.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C.

